Although it's unlikely that you've ever seen a tracking pixel, they have almost certainly been there on your screen. Companies can obtain vital marketing data and evaluate the success of marketing efforts thanks to tracking pixels. So what precisely are they and how do they operate?
Literally, a tracking pixel is a tiny, frequently invisible pixel that displays on a user's screen. It accomplishes the same task as a browser cookie, albeit there are several clear distinctions and benefits.
Known as 1x1 tracking pixels, tracking pixels are typically small, 1x1 squares that are intended to be translucent or at the very least blend in with the background of the page they are shown on. This is so that consumers won't notice them.
A pixel tracking system is relatively straightforward. Imagine a business starting a fresh email campaign. They send out hundreds of emails, but they need to know if they are effective—are they at least being opened?
When someone opens an email that has an email tracking pixel, their browser will launch the tracking pixel code automatically. The browser will signal the company's servers as a result of this.
The signal notifies the sender that the email has been opened and can also convey further information, such as the operating system, IP address, and location of the recipient.
Sounds like a great alternative to cookies, right?!